Apparatus for producing panoramic dental arch x-ray photographs

ABSTRACT

Panoramic X-ray photographs of the upper and lower dental arches are secured with a portable film holder apparatus that is used in conjunction with an independent X-ray unit. The film holder is composed of a photographic plate holder assembly used in combination with a sectional shield assembly. The shield assembly is adapted to engage the photographic plate holder assembly to cover a unitary photographic plate positioned within the holder assembly and to assist in the formation of a panoramic X-ray photograph from at least three sequentially secured X-ray photographs taken of various portions of the dental arch structure.

United States Patent [191 Schwartz et al.

[ Feb. 12, 1974 [54] APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PANORAMIC DENTAL ARcH X-RAY PHOTOGRAPHS [76] inventors: Robert Schwartz, 1271 Westfield Ave., Rahway, NJ. 07065; Morris Goldberg, 14 Vanderventer Ave., Port Washington, NY. 11050 [22] Filed: Oct. 16, 1972 [21] Appl. NO.: 297,900

- 250/491 [51] Int. Cl G01n 21/00, l-lOlj 37/00. [58] Field of Search 250/50, 65R, 66, 70

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,617,742 11/1971 Schulman et al. 250/70 X Primary Examinep-William F. Lindquist Attorney, Agent, or FirmJ. E. Luecke [5 7 1 ABSTRACT Panoramic X-ray photographs of the upper and lower dental arches are secured with a portable film holder apparatus that is used in conjunction with an independent X-ray unit. The film holder is composed of a photographic plate holder assembly sed in combination with a sectional shield assembly. The shield assembly is adapted to engage the photographic plate holder assembly to cover a unitary photographic plate positioned within the holder assembly and to assist in the formation of a panoramic X-ray photograph from at least three sequentially secured X-ray photographs taken of various portions of the dental arch structure.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEBIZIQH v rah/92.281

FIGURE 3 SHE 2.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for producing a panoramic X-ray photograph of a human dental arch structure. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for securing panoramic X'ray photographs from sequentially obtained independent X-ray photographs of various segments of the patients upper and lower arch structure. Panoramic X-ray photographs are useful orthodontic diagnostic tools. Various types of devices for producing panoramic X-ray photographs have been disclosed in the prior art. Examples of such devices are as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,915; U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,349 and U.S. Pat No. 3,617,742. The devices depicted in these patents are relatively complex systems involving a film holder assembly that is interconnected with an X-ray source. such devices are cumbersome and expensive. Further, the X-ray unit associated with the film holding device is underutilized since it cannot be used for other purposes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an independent (not interconnected with an X-ray source), portable, free-standing film holder device that can be employed with typical dental office X-ray equipment to obtain panoramic X-ray photographs of dental arches.

With the device of the present invention, the patient is positioned facing thefilm holding device which is compsed of a photographic'plate holder assembly that locates and positions a photographic plate, preferably a unitary plate, and a sectional shield assembly that is adapted to engage the photographic plate holder assembly. The panoramic X-ray photograph is secured by sequentially removing and replacing portions of the sectional shield assembly and taking X-ray photographs of the patients dental'anatomy in such a manner as to expose the unshielded portion of the photographic plate. Normally, an acceptable panoramic X-ray photograph can be secured from the independent, abutting X-ray exposures of various portions of the patients dental anatomy.

The invention will be better understood by refrence to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the film holding apparatus with one of the shield members in a removed position;

FIG. 2 is a view of the film holder assembly illustrating the use of the shield member to position a portion of photographic plate;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the film holding apparatus with the X-ray unit in place to expose a portion of the patients arch structure; and

FIG.4 is a horizontal top view of the assembly as depicted in FIG. 3.

The above-described drawings show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The film holding apparatus is composed, first of all, of a base member having upper and lower surfaces. Desirably, the base member is essentially flat and has mounted on the upper surface thereof the photographic plate holder assembly and a sectional shield assembly that is adapted to engage the holder assembly to cover a unitary photographic plate that is contained within pouch 30. Pouch 30 is positioned within the plate holder assembly. The

plate holder assembly is made up of plate holder 20 which is perpendicularly affixed to the'upper surface of base member 10. The plate holder 20 is maintained in vertical alignment by means of standard 21 which is also positioned on the top surface of base member 10. As can be seen from the figures, the plate holder 20 comprises a flat planar member that is provided with a downwardly extending lip member 22 that extends along at least a portion of the top margin of the flat planar member. The frontal portion of the photographic plate holder assembly is adapted to permit the X-ray exposure of the photographic plate (contained within pouch 30) that is positioned in close proximity to the planar portion of plate holder assembly 20. Typically, the length and width dimensions of photographic plate contained within pouch 30 correspond to or are less the length and width dimensions of plate holder 20.

The photographic plate, which is encased within flexible pouch 30, is maintained in position and shielded from X-ray exposure by means of a multi-component or sectional shield assembly. Atleast one lateral surface of the shield members is formedof an X-ray impervious material, e.g. lead. The shield assembly is made up of side arch shields 40 and 41 and central shield member 42. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 only one central shield member is employed; however, it is within the purview of the instant invention to employ additional central plane shield members. Shield members 40, 41 and 42 serve to cover the photographic plate that is positioned. within the holder assembly to prevent the exposure of the photographic plate. At least one of the lateral surfaces of shield members 40, 41 and 42 serve to position the photographic plate 30 within the plate holder assembly and, in the case of side arch shield members 40 and 41, function to position the photographic plate in an arch structure corresponding to the facial contour of the patient facing the holder assembly and in contact with positioning member 50. Desirably, shield members 40 and] 41 possess a slightly curved surface.

To the frontal portion of each side arch shield member 40 and 41 is attached rod member 43. Rod member 43 serves to assist in the positioning of side arch members 40 and 41 within the downwardly extending lip member 22 of the photographic plate holder assembly. Shield members 40 and 41, when in position, rest upon the upper surface of base member 10 and are maintained in shielding position by means of rod members 43 that slide within track guides 11 that are machined into the upper surface of the base member and the downwardly extending lip 22 of the photographic plate 41 extend beneath (or over) the outer edge of central shield member 42 (see FIG. 3).

The final major segment of the present film holding apparatus is a positioning member that is adapted to locate the upper and lower arches of the patient in a position facing and congruent with the frontal, open portion of the plate holder assembly that contains the unitray photographic plate. Preferably, as shown in the figures, the arch positioning member is located on the central shield member. However, other types of arch positioning members can be used. For example, a positioning member that is formed from an X-ray translucent material could be located on base member 10 rather than on the central shield member 42. In use, the patient grasps positioning member 50 between his maxillary and mandibular arches and maintains this position while the individual X-ray photographs are taken.

The film holding apparatus is portable and freestanding (not wall positioned) and is maintained in position by means of a stand member (not shown). The upper portion 60 of the stand member (shown in cut-away position) is engaged within pivot block 61 that is positioned on frame 62 which supports base member 10. Block 61 is located on frame 62 in such a manner that it can be indexed, either to the left or to the right, by an angle of about 5 to 25, preferably from the vertical. The film holder apparatus is locked into position atop stand member 60 by means of set screw 63.

In use, the patient P, in a standing or sitting position, is located before the open frontal portion of the photographic plate holder assembly. 20. The patients chin must rest squarely on the upper surface of base member 10 (see FIG. 3). This position will place the zygomatic (cheek) bone in close proximity to the photographic plate when the same is brought into position (as hereinafter described) and the lower border of the mandible will be approximately one inch further from the photographic plate than the cheek bone. Positioning member 50 is insertd between the upper and lower arches of patient P and defines the dental plane of occlusion. Positioning member 50 is preferably slidably or threadably connected to central shield member 42 to facilitate removal for sterilization following use. Means may be provided for altering the height of the position- .ing member 50 from the upper surface of base member 10. As noted earlier, the positioning member can be attached to the upper surface of base member 10 rather than to shield member 42. For example, the positioning member 50 may comprise a plate member that extends upwardly and laterally from the upper surface of base member 10. The plate member may be inserted into the mouth of the patient and employed to fix the patients head relative to the photographic plate contained within the film holder assembly.

Three individual X-ray photographs are taken in sequence to secure the desired panoramic X-ray photograph. Each of the three X-ray photographs are secured by upwardly directing a beam of X-rays from X-ray unit 70 through the open ends of the patients maxillary and mandibular arch structure to thereby expose the photographic film contained within pouch 30. An X-ray photograph of the right side arch structure of the patients maxillary and mandibular arches is secured by first locating a portion of film 30 in close proximity to (preferably touching) the right side of the patients face. This is accomplished by withdrawing side arch shield member 41 from its shielding position within downwardly extending lip 22. The side arch shield member is then rotated 180 and placed behind flexible pouch 30. The film pouch is maintained in position by engaging the lowermost portion of rod member 43 within stop hole 12. Typically, one or more stop holes 12 are located in the upper surface of base member 10. Providing a number of stop holes at varying distances from the central shield member permits the orthodontist to use the device with patients of widely varying head sizes and structures.

Thereafter, the tip portion of the cone of X-ray machine is located below and behind the angle of the lower left jaw (mandible) of the patient and is aligned with aiming bar 13. An X-ray beam is then directed upwardly through the open ends of the patients arch structure at an angle of about 15 from the horizontal to expose'the non-shielded film. After the exposure is completed, the shield member which served to support the photographic plate in an arch corresponding to the facial contour of the patient is removed, rotated and reinserted under lip 22 over the exposed portion of photographic plate 30 by sliding bar member 43 within track guide 11 and downwardly extending lip 22 of the photographic plate holder. As shown in FIG. 4, the inward edge of the shield member is positioned in a lap joint relationship with the central plane shield member, that is, the inner edge of the side arch shield members are located behind the outer vertically extending edges of the central shield member. To secure an X-ray photograph of the left side of the patients arch structure, the X-ray camera 70 is repositioned to point A as shown in FIG. 4 and a portion of the photographic plate is brought and maintained in close proximity to the left side of the patients face utilizing side arch shield member 40. Aiming bar 14 is used to align the X-ray camera cone and the X-ray beam is again directed upwardly at an angle of about 15 below the horizontal. Upon completing the exposure, shield member 40 is returned to its original position.

As noted previously, the side arch X-ray photographs are preferably taken by directing the X-ray beam upwardly through the patients dental structure at an angle of about 15 from the horizontal. The desired angulation can also be secured by utilizing a horizontal beam of X-rays but inclining the photographic plate holder at the desired angle by operation of pivot block 61. For example, the desired angulation can be secured by providing within block 61 means for inclining'the plate holder portion attached to the pivot block at an angle of about 15 from the horizontal.

The final X-ray photograph of the sagittal portion of the patients arch structure is secured by positioning members 40 and 41 in shielding position and removing shield member 42 from its position over the photographic plate. The central shield member is slidably mounted from a central segment of the upper margin of the plate holder assembly 20 and extends downwardly over the planar member. Preferably, the central shield member rests on the uppersurface of base member 10 and is located in shielding position by means of blocking screw 25.

The photograph of the central portion of the arch structure is secured by directing the X-ray beam upwardly from below the plane of occlusion of the patient at an angle of about 15 below the horizontal. The cone of X-ray camera 70 is located in position B (FIG. 4) against the nape of the patients neck when the radiograph of the central portion of the patients dental structure is secured. The cone of the camera is further aligned with the unshielded portion of the film. Exposure timing for each of the sequential X-rays is similar to standard extra oral procedures depending upon the strength of the X-ray tube (KVP and amperage) as well as illuminating screens employed, giving special consideration to the stature of the patient.

Following completion of the central photograph, the side arch shield members are removed and the photographic plate removed from within the plate holder assembly and developed. As shown in the figures, the film holder apparatus of the present invention is independent of, that is, not physically connected to, the X-ray camera employed in securing the desired exposures. Accordingly, the apparatus is readily portable.

What is claimed is: v

1. An apparatus for producing a panoramic X-ray photograph of dental arches on a photographic plate which comprises:

a, a base member having an upper and lower surface;

b. a planar photographic plateholder assembly perpendicularly affixed to the upper surface of said base member, the frontal portion of said holder assembly adapted to permit the exposure of a photographic plate positioned within said holder assemy;

c. a sectional overlapping shield assembly adapted to engage said holder assembly to cover a photographic plate positioned within said holder assembly to prevent the Xray exposure of said photographic plate comprising at least one central shield member and side arch shield members located on each side of said central shield member;

e. a positioning member located on said apparatus adapted to locate the upper and lower arches of the patient in a position facing and congruent with the frontal portion of said plate holder assembly.

d. means on said base member to alternatively position each of said side arch shield members and a photographic plate supported thereby in a nonshielded arch corresponding to the facial contour of a patient facing the holder assembly; and

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plate holder assembly comprises a flat planar member that is proand lower arch structure of a patient facing said holder assembly and in contact'with said positioning member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said positioning member is located on said central shield member.

6. An apparatus for producing in conjunction with an independent X-ray camera a panoramic X'ray photograph of dental arches on a photographic plate which comprises:

a. a base member having an upper and lower surface;

b. a planar photographic plate holder assembly perpendicularly affixed to the upper surface of said base member, the frontal portion of said holder assembly adapted to permit the exposure of a unitary photographic plate positioned within said holder assembly;

c. a sectional overlapping shield assembly adapted to engage said holder assembly to cover a photographic plate positioned within said holder assembly to prevent the X-ray exposure of said photographic plate comprising at least one central shield member, and a single side arch shield member located on each side of said central shield member;

d. means on said base member to alternatively position each of said side arch shield members and a photographic plate supported thereby in a nonshielded arch corresponding to the facial contour of a patient facing the holder assembly; and

e. a positioning member located on said apparatus adapted to locate the upper and lower arches of the patient in a position facing and congruent with the frontal portion of said plate holder assembly.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said base member is provided with means forpositioning said side arch shield members in close proximity to the upper and lower arch structure of a patient facing said holder assembly and in contact with said positioning member.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said plate holder assembly comprises a flat planar member that is provided with a downwardly extending lip member along at least a portion of the top margin thereof, said side arch shield members adapted to be slidably positioned under said lip member. 

1. An apparatus for producing a panoramic X-ray photograph of dental arches on a photographic plate which comprises: a. a base member having an upper and lower surface; b. a planar photographic plate holder assembly perpendicularly affixed to the upper surface of said base member, the frontal portion of said holder assembly adapted to permit the exposure of a photographic plate positioned within said holder assembly; c. a sectional overlapping shield assembly adapted to engage said holder assembly to cover a photographic plate positioned within said holder assembly to prevent the X-ray exposure of said photographic plate comprising at least one central shield member and side arch shield memBers located on each side of said central shield member; e. a positioning member located on said apparatus adapted to locate the upper and lower arches of the patient in a position facing and congruent with the frontal portion of said plate holder assembly. d. means on said base member to alternatively position each of said side arch shield members and a photographic plate supported thereby in a non-shielded arch corresponding to the facial contour of a patient facing the holder assembly; and
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plate holder assembly comprises a flat planar member that is provided with a downwardly extending lip member along at least a portion of the top margin thereof, said side arch shield members adapted to be slidably positioned under said lip member.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said central shield member is slidably mounted from a central segment of the upper margin of the planar member of the plateholder assembly and extends downwardly over said planar member.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base member is provided with means for positioning said side arch shield members in close proximity to the upper and lower arch structure of a patient facing said holder assembly and in contact with said positioning member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said positioning member is located on said central shield member.
 6. An apparatus for producing in conjunction with an independent X-ray camera a panoramic X-ray photograph of dental arches on a photographic plate which comprises: a. a base member having an upper and lower surface; b. a planar photographic plate holder assembly perpendicularly affixed to the upper surface of said base member, the frontal portion of said holder assembly adapted to permit the exposure of a unitary photographic plate positioned within said holder assembly; c. a sectional overlapping shield assembly adapted to engage said holder assembly to cover a photographic plate positioned within said holder assembly to prevent the X-ray exposure of said photographic plate comprising at least one central shield member, and a single side arch shield member located on each side of said central shield member; d. means on said base member to alternatively position each of said side arch shield members and a photographic plate supported thereby in a non-shielded arch corresponding to the facial contour of a patient facing the holder assembly; and e. a positioning member located on said apparatus adapted to locate the upper and lower arches of the patient in a position facing and congruent with the frontal portion of said plate holder assembly.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said base member is provided with means for positioning said side arch shield members in close proximity to the upper and lower arch structure of a patient facing said holder assembly and in contact with said positioning member.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said plate holder assembly comprises a flat planar member that is provided with a downwardly extending lip member along at least a portion of the top margin thereof, said side arch shield members adapted to be slidably positioned under said lip member. 